Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-09-29
PROFITABLE MERINOs.
The Actual Income From q Weii-kePt
Flock of Sheep.


The Actual Income From a weII-Kept
Flock of Sheep.
Mr.. William Brownrigg, proprietor
of the Olive Green Stock Farm, Noble
County, o., last winter fattened flock
of Meunos with such good results
financially that his methods and out
come deserve brief mention. may
say that 1 am acquainted with Mr.
Brownrigg, and obtained the particu-
lars of his transaction from himself.
In August, 1886. he bought 120 sheep
at $3.50 per head, amounting to $3.50
He put them on the range and let them
run on it until December 20. ut which
date he brought them up for winter,
confirming them in a lot of about five
acres with shed in it. They were not
fastened up in the shed except IN
stormy weather. They received feed
of corn fodder in the morning, and hay
at noon and night. What kind of hay
it was Mr.. B. does not specify. During
the months of January and February
they received a grain feed of one
bushel per day; this consisted of corn,
oats and bran in equal parts, and was
given once a day. During March and
April the grain feed was three bushels
ii day, equal parts of corn and oats,
given. TO them morning and evening.
After April % the grain feed was dis
continued, and the flock was turned on
pasture. Mr.. Brownrigg states that
after several years experience as a
feeder of sheep, he does not think 1t
pays to give grain to sheep on good
pasture.
After shearing date not mentioned)
the sheep were sold at "a. 374 per head;
they averaged log pounds each, and
the flock brought 1925. He sold the
wool at so cents pound; this brought
1924. This would he at the rate of 81
pounds per fleece, bringing $1.95 per
head. Total amount received for wool
and carcasses, $3.50. Cost of the sheep
in August. 1886. Thus he received for
his feed, labor and profit, on 120 sheep,
1923.
us figure IA little.
80 bushels corn ct 35 cts Observation-Disclosures $500
50 bushels oats at 35 cts.-......-....- $500
20 bushels bran at IA cts ESQ
10 tons hay at S5-....- oOOo
$50 shocks fodder at 10 cts.... $500
Total .s1ss.so
Subtracting this from 1923. we have
$236.20 for labor and profit Mr..
Brownrigg did not state the actual
amount OF hay and fodder consumed,
but a good part of a lifetime spent IN
feeding and breeding sheep enables me
to give pretty close estimate.
Now, let us figure "a little further.
These sheep were probably four years
old; at least long acquaintance with
the sheep breeders of Southeastern
Ohio has taught me that this is about
the age usually sought for in good
feeding sheep. They yielded in this
the fourth year $1.95 worth of wool
apiece. In each of the three preced-
ing years they yielded probably some
what less, (not being fed SO highly,
say $1.65 apiece. In the four years,
therefore. they gave a return of $500
per head in wool. Each carcass sold
for $4374. Total revenue received
from each sheep in four years, $11.272,
or g. 80 a year. We have seen that
Mr.. B. bought them for 81 apiece in
August, 1886.
Now, is there any other animal kept
on the farm that will yield yearly
revenue equal to its entire value at
maturity? This is 100 per cent year
on the original money invested. Pos
sibly a good cow might give it, pos
siblv flock of hens. At any rate, it
is good enough.
Please Observes: These sheep were
well taken care of.-Stetobe,l POi0eTs. in
Ohio Farmer.